Gilbert at the Breakfast Buffet in China
(Image courtesy Irving Liimatta)
After previous fan-composed tales of meeting Gilbert Arenas while he ate by himself at P.F. Chang's in Tysons Corner, and meeting Caron Butler coming out of a movie theater next to the T.G.I. Friday's in Tysons, today's food-based Wizards fan story comes courtesy of 29-year old Irving Liimatta, who also recently ran into Gilbert in a restaurant. In China.
Liimatta works for a high-tech firm based in the Phoenix area, a firm that has a warehouse in Shanghai. He was staying at the Pudong Shangri-La Hotel in Shanghai, doesn't follow the NBA particularly much and didn't know that Gilbert was in the middle of a contract negotiation when he arrived in China. He also had never asked an athlete for an autograph.
But there he was in the Pudong district of Shanghai, sharing an elevator with someone he recognized as Gilbert Arenas.
"On the way up, I tried to play it cool and not let him know that I recognized him," Liimatta wrote to me in an e-mail, "but I eventually said, 'You know I'm going to tell all of my buddies about this.' He laughed and stuck out his hand to shake mine."
Gilbert got off the elevator before Liimatta. But the next morning, a still-jetlagged Liimatta woke up at 5 and went down the gym. "Arenas was also awake, already working out with his trainer," Irving wrote. Liimatta left him alone. But then came their third meeting, at the Shangri-La's amazing breakfast buffet, where both men were there just after the buffet opens at 6:30. And finally, before Gilbert picked out his food, Irving asked for what he said was the first autograph of his life. At which point we learned three things:
1) Gilbert has taken to adorning his autographs with "Agent 0."
2) There would appear to be significantly less competition for athlete autographs at the Pudong Shangri-La Hotel's breakfast buffet than, say, at the AT&T National's practice green.
3) Random Phoenix-area businessmen who travel to Shanghai for work and run into Gilbert Arenas in the elevator are likely to become fans, for no particular reason other than Gilbert's personality. "He was so cool about it," Liimatta wrote of their encounters. "He didn't make me feel like an idiot. He is a credit to your team and to your community."
By Dan Steinberg |
July 7, 2008; 5:49 PM ET
| Category:
Wizards
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Posted by: Patrick | July 7, 2008 7:02 PM
someone seems to be following him around on his china tour, these guys should blog for us lol.
http://www.youtube.com/fanclubagentzero
Posted by: Johansen | July 7, 2008 7:03 PM
I once ran into Wizards PR GUY Daren Jenkins arguing with the manager of a Buffet the manager said "son we have a policy here all kids eat free" Jenkins who has a gary coleman complex was very angry and left a $50 bill on the counter and stormed out saying "when will people get it I'm 25 yrs old they must not know me"
Posted by: i got work | July 7, 2008 10:27 PM
To: "i got work"
I am LMAO -
Posted by: Anonymous | July 7, 2008 10:30 PM
Damn - he ran into Gil more than I run into my neighbors...and I stay in a 4-plex! Lol. All of this makes me feel as if I too can run into a Wizard...tomorrow...in Milwaukee. Such a feeling just put tickles in my tummy!! But, no, on a serious note, cool athlete "encounter" story as usual - and on an international-type level.
Also, I just wanna give Dan his props. You make reading stuff fun and interesting, even when it's not so fun and interesting. Wait, that kinda reminds me of someone...oh yeah, myself! But yeah, big props -
In dedication, I just want to present this: http://youtube.com/watch?v=IXD_j2ZTNEA
Posted by: Bridge | July 7, 2008 10:31 PM
I guess its better than running into D.C. athletes at area strip clubs.
Posted by: StetSports.com | July 8, 2008 7:37 AM
Speaking of strip clubs, isn't it about time we got a few "real" strip clubs in DC? Can't we get someone (M. Barry?) to get rid of this "no lap dance" rule in DC? Every now and then a hard-working man needs a good grind and DC is severly lacking in that department. And I'm not talking about the Steam-N-Creams/Rub-N-Tugs. I'm talking about a nice $30 lapper to get me ready for the Misses when I get home.
Posted by: Fushezzi | July 8, 2008 8:37 AM
Can we get more info about this Mr. Jenkins and possibly a birth certificate? Seems like he shouldn't be entitled to all of these free meals.
Posted by: Who is DJ? | July 8, 2008 9:22 AM
What does this have to do with the Nats' TV ratings?
Posted by: Lindemann | July 8, 2008 9:35 AM
Are you sure Gil wasn't at a Filipino Sandwich Shop?
Posted by: G20 FdaCowboys | July 8, 2008 10:58 AM
I guess Gil didn't tell this guy about his keloids.
http://www.truthaboutit.net/pictures/Gilbert-Arenas_Public-Service-Announcement.jpg
Posted by: TruthAboutIt.net | July 8, 2008 11:01 AM
And speaking of strip clubs....I once saw Phil Chenier long ago at the Crystal City Restaurant.
Posted by: TruthAboutIt.net | July 8, 2008 11:03 AM
I sat near the front at a Wizards away game a few years ago and came down to take some pictures at halftime. I just called Gilberts name, and he smiled and waved and posed. Got the great picture to prove it.
Posted by: Josh D. | July 9, 2008 9:33 AM
@TruthAboutIt.net:
Crystal City Restaurant?!?
"GEH-ROHN-TEEEED!"
Posted by: Arlington Pimp | July 9, 2008 5:57 PM
I often feel boring at weekend. Maybe am tired of being alone. Anyone there want to meet sexy black beauty to bring life some changes? Let's mingle at __u k i n t e r r a c i a l m a t c h . c om___, where black white boobs hotties, black white beauties and black white guys meet for fun&love!
Posted by: Kelly | July 13, 2008 9:19 AM
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Good stuff. I know you've thrown it out there before, but it would be cool if Gil threw the Wizznutzz folks something, anything, for the Agent Zero tag. Doesn't even have to be money. Still love him though, can't help it. GO WIZ